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Jarrod continues talking to Ana while trying to bring me into the conversation, but she has a large presence and won’t be ignored for me. It’s pissing me off, and before long I’m probably going to embarrass Jarrod by giving her a piece of my mind. After the amount of wine I’ve consumed it won’t be pretty once I get started.
Minutes later, I feel Jarrod’s hand on my thigh as he gives me a reassuring caress. I think he expects me to place my hand over his, but I don’t. I’m too annoyed with everyone, I guess, him included. I know he’s trying to be polite by humoring his colleague and I wouldn’t mind, but it’s obvious to anyone who is looking that she’s more interested in the way he looks than what he has to say.
Part of me wishes that I hadn’t come tonight because this evening has opened my eyes to Jarrod’s world, and I can see clear as day that I don’t fit. I have nothing in common with these people and I’m not sure I want to even attempt to be a part of them.
When the first course arrives, I wave the waitress away, refusing the food. Jarrod doesn’t even notice. Ana has placed her hand on his arm, pulling his attention back to her. I do drink the wine though, glass after glass, and the more I drink, the easier it slides down.
Halfway through the main course, Jarrod turns to me and finally ignores Ana, who is trying to get his attention. His eyes focus on me before sliding to the place setting in front of me. He frowns and I watch as his jaw clenches with annoyance when Ana grab’s his arm, again. He turns and hisses something to the other woman before I have his attention again.
“You’ve already eaten?” he asks.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Let me get you something,” he suggests, reaching to wave for the waitress.
I pull his arm down. “I said that I’m not hungry. The wine is fine.” I glare.
His frown deepens as he leans closer. “We’ll leave as soon as the speeches are over.” He kisses my cheek. “I promise.”
Nodding, I take another gulp of the wine, to his obvious disapproval, but when Ana snags his attention again, I go past caring. He does keep trying to turn back to me, but the other woman won’t let up.
I don’t eat anything, and by the time dessert arrives, I’m feeling ready to burst into floods of tears. An elderly lady across the table offers me a smile of sympathy, which very nearly undoes me.
Deciding to get his attention, I tug on the sleeve of his jacket, and hiss, “Jarrod?”
He ignores me.
I try again, whispering, “Jarrod?”
Turning, his face annoyed, he snaps, “What?” He sighs and closing his eyes breathes deeply before softening his features and meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry, Ivy,” he whispers softly.
I dip my head to hide just how upset I am, and feel Jarrod’s gaze boring into my head as though he’s willing me to look at him. However, my head snaps up when they start reading the nominations for an award. Something to do with recognition for the good work in the community…and then, they announce Jarrod as the recipient. Ignoring my sadness, I smile and clap as I get to my feet with him.
He receives a standing ovation, and I forget about the rest of the evening and focus on him and the award he’s just won. As he starts turning in my direction, I realize that I’m so proud of him and can’t wait to whisper that in his ear when I get my arms around him. I lay my hand on his arm, but before he fully turns, Ana wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him right on the lips. I’m completely stunned and feel my heart breaking. In this moment it should be me congratulating him in that way. So when he turns to me and I see the red lipstick on his mouth, I turn my head at the last minute so that he’s kissing air. “You’re covered in lipstick,” I mumble, refusing to meet his gaze.
“Ivy?”
“They want you on
stage,” Ana interrupts and shoves Jarrod in the correct direction.
He watches me from over his shoulder as he’s moved forward through the crowd. Instead of staying to hear his acceptance speech, I grab my evening bag, and quickly make my way across the room and to a corridor. I follow the signs to the restroom and locking myself inside a stall, I slump down on the basin of the toilet, placing my face in my hands.
Tears finally begin streaming down my face wondering if Jarrod even knows I’ve left the room. The only image in my head is of his mouth covered with red lipstick.
That should have been mine.
I should be stronger. He needs a strong woman by his side, and instead of running away to cry, I need to stand by my man and make sure the snake stays away from him.
Not sure how long I’ve been having a lonesome pity party, but I try and pull myself together. I need to go back to the table and make sure Jarrod sees me. My resolve dims when the thought that I shouldn’t have to compete for the attention of my fiancée runs through my mind, he should give it freely. He should have immediately pulled away from Ana when she’d grabbed him. I think it’s that which upsets me all the more.
With my hand on the lock, I hear the heels of a couple of women entering the restroom, so I stay in the stall.
“Did you see the woman he brought with him?” one woman asks. “She looks young enough to be his daughter.” She chuckles.
“It’s no wonder that his attention soon went from her to Ana. She’s more his type and has been after him for years. Although, the younger woman was beautiful and that dress was gorgeous.”
“Hmm, I’m wondering where she went, although I don’t blame her for leaving after that kiss between Jarrod and Ana.”
